Artwork
The Beauty of Death
The Beauty of Death is a photographic photography by Leonardo Bistolfi. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Beauty of Death is a photograph of a carved stone relief, documenting a sculptural work with intricate details and textures.
Subject & Meaning
The relief depicts a woman in flowing robes leaning over a cave, reaching toward a sleeping figure, surrounded by rocks and climbing plants, with small carvings of people at the top and a Latin inscription.
Technique & Style
The photograph shows a high level of detail, capturing the textures of the relief, including fabric and leaves, and is mounted on green card, with visible signs of aging along the edges.
History & Provenance
The photograph was part of a collection bequeathed by William Kineton Parkes in 1938 and is now held in the Archive of Art and Design, having been received by Parkes as a response to a questionnaire he distributed to sculptors in the 1920s.
Artist & collection
Artist
Leonardo Bistolfi captured quiet, symbolic moments in black-and-white photographs.
